RE: The medium as the message

Posted by 91derlust (A) on January 27, 2019 at 01:33:17

In Reply to: The medium as the message posted by Duster on January 26, 2019 at 15:56:23:

Dualistic categorisations are a simplification - it helps humans process/analyse/store and convince themselves they understand. I'm more concerned about my attachment to what I believe in and my expectations based on said beliefs... and the reactions and response strategies when my expectations are not met...

It's interesting that you associate sophistication with expectations... and enjoyment. Sure, sophistry can be related to expectation. But I reckon expectation is the killer of joy; it pre-supposes, limits curiosity; and disconnects us from simply experiencing. Sure, if an expectation is met people get a temporary dopamine hit - their beliefs and self-worth are firmed up - but ultimately it puts them on the hook and cuts them off from experience.

For me, the simple experience/awareness/connection - without judgement/analysis - of music irrespective of system sets the direction for my listening. That of course is an ideal and I don't expect it to happen. Even understanding that, I still try to build a system that suits my preferences; but I am increasingly less (frequently) attached to the need... Do I simply experience the music, or am I concerned with its quality or reproduction? Am I curious about a certain album or am I thinking I like it less or more than others of the genre then justify that decision to myself/others?

OTOH, I enjoy building amps and coordinating builds of bespoke speakers and voicing a system - but that seems almost divorced from the experience of listening, most of the time: it is more about the curiosity and skill development.

Other folks are into collecting and listening to music for different reasons. Ditto music reproduction equipment. And it's great! But I come back again to attachments, the "need", the expectations...

Edit: So, I guess my point is that I have different questions regarding my listening and system building than those related to "audiophiles" and "music lovers".

Cheers.

"Confusion of goals and perfection of means seems to characterise our age." Albert Einstein

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - The medium as the message - Duster 15:56:23 01/26/19 (29)

Music lover first, hobbyist second, audiophile never. nt - viridian 13:56:09 01/29/19 (0)

I list myself as both... - EdAInWestOC 13:16:23 01/29/19 (0)

I am and always have been - Awe-d-o-file 18:58:48 01/28/19 (0)

although the two are not mutually exclusive - Sordidman 10:20:25 01/28/19 (1)

RE: although the two are not mutually exclusive - Duster 13:33:46 01/28/19 (0)

RE: The medium as the message - BillH 08:47:32 01/27/19 (0)

RE: The medium as the message - 91derlust 01/27/1901:33:17 01/27/19 (1)

RE: The medium as the message - Duster 13:41:44 01/28/19 (0)

One of my mentors - E-Stat 20:13:37 01/26/19 (4)

RE: One of my mentors - mitsumoto 09:15:42 01/27/19 (0)

RE: One of my mentors - Duster 20:35:08 01/26/19 (2)

Massive Attack tickets are $200 each. - Sordidman 10:28:36 01/28/19 (0)

And I am one of those who - E-Stat 20:48:59 01/26/19 (0)

Color me unsophisticated - 13th Duke of Wymbourne 18:58:27 01/26/19 (9)

Ditto - Jay Buridan 07:48:21 01/27/19 (1)

RE: Ditto - Duster 18:21:33 01/28/19 (0)

I wonder if there's a way to change ... - TeddiJackEddie 06:27:23 01/27/19 (5)

Just gonna wait 'till you list the other three systems before I call them all crappy... - musetap 15:53:42 02/1/19 (0)

RE: I wonder if there's a way to change ... - Davey 07:46:39 01/27/19 (3)

RE: I wonder if there's a way to change ... - BillH 04:17:25 01/28/19 (0)

Seems pretty obvious to me, but it has zilch to do with "validity". nt. - Rick W 08:39:55 01/27/19 (1)

RE: Seems pretty obvious to me, but it has zilch to do with "validity". nt. - Davey 16:24:24 01/27/19 (0)

RE: Color me unsophisticated - Duster 19:50:53 01/26/19 (0)

RE: The medium as the message - Davey 17:25:10 01/26/19 (1)

RE: The medium as the message - Duster 18:23:04 01/26/19 (0)

It Ain't the Meat, It's The Motion... - musetap 17:12:59 01/26/19 (3)

I've always puzzled over that saying - HarryDStanton 02:03:06 01/27/19 (1)

RE: I've always puzzled over that saying - musetap 12:02:22 01/27/19 (0)

+1 (nt) - Duster 21:04:07 01/26/19 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: The medium as the message - 91derlust 01/27/1901:33:17 01/27/19 (1)

RE: The medium as the message - Duster 13:41:44 01/28/19 (0)

RE: The medium as the message

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